UNIZIK Debacle: AN Evidence Of Societal Failure And A Call For Justice For Dr. Chukwudi Okoye

 


By Rev. Fr. Benedict C.C. Amuchie


The social media has been on fire in the last couple of days for a sacrilege committed at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) Awka. A girl identified as Goddy-Mbakwe Chiamaka Precious, a 3rd year student of History and International Studies Department of the university physically assaulted a senior lecturer of the university, Dr Chukwudi Michael Okoye of Theatre Arts and Film Studies Department. 


Precious was doing tiktok video on the walkway of the faculty building, obstructing the passway for the lecturer who was returning from the classroom to his office. The lecturer said "excuse me" and gently patted her at the shoulder to request passage (there is video evidence to this). The girl insulted the lecturer, slapped him and tore his cloth. She also used her rotten teeth on the man; bitting his hand, just like a mad dog would do. A situation that made the lecturer go to the university clinic to receive injections. 


The mother of Precious, Mrs Goddy Mbakwe is a non teaching staff of the university in the Admin Unit while the wife of Dr Okoye is a Senior Magistrate in Akwa Ibom State. Indeed, it's going to be a very interesting case. 


The worst of it all is that the girl showed no remorse for the height of insolence she displayed. Even, when they were taken to the security unit, people around asked her to apologize to the lecturer, Precious refused and was bragging. Consequently, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)  has shown interest in the matter, the university has immediately constituted a disciplinary panel to thoroughly investigate the matter and recommend appropriate sanctions. Then the wife of the lecturer who is a Senior Magistrate is enthusiastically waiting for the outcome of the investigations. 


Meanwhile, the attitude of the girl, has been roundly condemned by all and sundry. She has no right to block the faculty building walkway for mere shooting of tiktok video. If she  was desperate to shoot content, she would have stayed at home to do it and not at the academic building of the university. 


A lot of people are insinuating she lacks home training while some say she might not have a father figure at home, but jists flying around say she has a father and her parents are very disciplined. Some children, no matter the home training, will still misrepresent their parents. In my village, such a child in described as "ajoo nwa", meaning 'evil child'. 


The truth is; some of these children are taking drugs and smoking weeds and can misbehave under drug influence. Unfortunately, this is what people many a time, describe as civilization. Indeed, these unapologetic Genzees' are actually the epitome of rottenness, the societal values are almost all eroded, a failed society indeed. 


Frankly, this situation calls for a serious caution on the side of young men in search of whom to marry. A lady who can publicly fight her lecturer will also unleash the same aggressive energy in marriage and kpai her husband untimely. Such an aggressive behaviour in a full public glare is indeed, a serious red flag that should not be taken for granted. 


The girl in an interview said she did not know Dr Okoye is a lecturer. Even if he is just a visitor or an adult student, does Precious have the right to talk to him rudely let alone assaulting him? Honestly, sometimes, these Genzees' are carried away by the euphoria of social media. Sincerely, the girl's attitude is so unwarranted and very repulsive. It is better for her to begin to look for another institution because basically she would face expulsion. Then considering the status of the lecturer's wife, Precious should better invite her village people, community leaders and pastors to save her from going to prison for committing a sacrilege in a cidatel of learning against an innocent lecturer who has been wildly described as a very humble and responsible man. 


Truly, both the staff and students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka have testified that Dr Okoye is one of the calmest, reserved, brilliant yet jovial lecturers in the university. He committed no offence and does not deserve the assault and embarrassment.


Imagine if it was a boy that did this to a female lecturer, by now he would have been in the police net, cooling his ugly head. The world sometimes is biased against men. However, wether between a female student and a male lecturer or a male student and a female lecturer, it is an abominable thing that should not be condoned. Therefore, all men and women of goodwill both at home and in diaspora are calling for justice for Dr Chukwudi Michael Okoye. 


*Rev. Fr. Benedict C.C. Amuchie (A Clergy, Lecturer and Social Commentator)

*The Management and staff of tdpnewsng.com is not liable for any misrepresentation in this opinion article. The writer is solely responsible for any misrepresentation thereof.

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